Dolphins

Philbin Happy With Tannehill’s Development

GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Carindals defeated the Dolphins 24-21 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins are recovering from a second-straight heartbreaking loss in overtime Monday. The team lost in overtime to the undefeated Arizona Cardinals thanks to a turnovers, but had plenty to be happy about from the quarterback position.

“I thought he [Ryan Tannehill] played well yesterday,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said. “I thought he threw the ball well. We’re interested more in overall development and is he making progress in terms of becoming a consistent production starter in the National Football League. And I think we’re seeing signs that he’s doing that.”

Tannehill had arguably his best passing day as a pro against the Cardinals Sunday. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 431 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against Arizona to have a quarterback rating of 86.5.

It was Tannehill’s second regular season game with a QB rating over 85 and third where he completed at least 55 percent of his passes. Philbin said the main problem with Tannehill’s game came from the blitzes called up by Arizona and called out his offensive line Monday.

“Not good enough. I would say it wasn’t good enough,” Philbin said of his offensive line’s play. “Our protection wasn’t good enough. We watched the Eagles game, I had commented that the way game started for Philadelphia, you knew it was going to be a difficult day because of the way they knocked Michael Vick around. No, it wasn’t good enough.”

One thing that became apparent in the game versus the Cardinals was that Tannehill’s favorite target has become Brian Hartline. The receiver hauled in a career best 12 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown against Arizona.

Hartline has stepped into the role Brandon Marshall had occupied as the team’s number one receiver, though Philbin is quick to note that the offense doesn’t have to have a true “number one” receiver.

“I think you have a system, concepts in passing that you believe in that give your quarterback a chance to have some options and certainly he’s [Hartline] one of them,” Philbin said. “At certain times, he’s the first option, but again, I’m more interested in the receivers that catch the ball consistently, get open versus man-to-man and compete for the football and block. What number they are doesn’t really matter to me.”

As for the team’s defense, Philbin said it was “fun” to watch defensive end Cameron Wake get some sacks. Wake had 4.5 sacks of Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb in the game. He also said cornerback Sean Smith’s two interceptions were “quality plays when you watch them on film.”